BENGALURU: Activists asserted their demand to not levy GST on hand-made products in the state, even as an activist broke his hunger strike after five days of fasting.Handloom activist and theatre personality Prasanna had taken up a hunger strike on October 14, demanding that the Central government make hand-made products tax-free.
Speaking here on Thursday, Prasanna appreciated Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for accepting that GST should not be levied on hand-made products, and for calling on the the Prime Minister for the same. “The GST council has bracketed all products, whether it is plastic or handloom, in the same category. In a country with so much inequality, aren’t they ashamed to levy equal tax on the poor and the rich?”
Prasanna said the campaign had spread to other states too. Abhilash C A, convener, Gram Seva Sangh, said activists from Tamil Nadu and Kerala had extended their support. “Narmada Bachao Andolan and Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan, the organisation co-founded by activist Medha Patkar, have also written to us and pledged their support,” he said.
Prasanna broke his fast, but made it clear that the campaign was by no means over. Abhilash said the next move depended on the outcome of a national GST council meeting to be held on November 6, where their cause would be presented.Siddaramaiah has also written a letter to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The letter outlines the reasons as to why handloom products should be exempted from GST.